Blog Posts

Susan maintains and populates her own blog, which is full of tips on knitting, and many other diverse subjects.

Notable are two ongoing serials, which are added to over the months.

Rafe

Rafe is the story of a young woman, and is a period piece that unravels with great skill. Before feminism, Rafe is the role model, as she takes on the world.

It would be wrong to give the story away, but it is very well worth reading, and grips the reader, who can't wait for the next installment.
 

Morocco

Morocco is a series of snapshots, of Susan's younger life, when she lived as an expatriate in Morocco.

That period was during the late 70's, and she recalls a world, a way of life so different from what we know of today. This is one of John's favourite works: recommended.
 

Susan Dewey

Introduction

I am chiefly a writing coach and content editor. In addition to grammar, syntax, and spelling anomalies (all of which I cheerfully explain) I look at what impact a piece of writing has on readers.

One of the strategies I use, with both fiction and non-fiction, is to map characters, stories, themes, and references as I read the book for the first time. I typically move back and forth, filling in edits on my own commentary as the author answers questions and addresses issues I noted in my first pass. This is generally not the first draft, but the first one the writer is willing to share, perhaps, beyond close family and friends. I make an outline of what moves I see the writer is making to move the story forward. Some of the questions I keep in mind during my first reading and outline are:

• How do the characters develop and interact?
• What is the importance of setting?
• What are themes that emerge and how are they supported through the writing?
• Is there a clear back story?

I also maintain a running dialogue with the story / novel using the comment feature in Word or Open Office. With some authors I also make suggestions on how a section can be re-worded and explain why the altered wording works. I always work with the track changes feature turned on. I would expect to make three passes, at least, through your novel. I use additional read-throughs to make suggestions, discuss options, and make sure the syntax, grammar, and punctuation work as the author might wish.

Background

Susan has lived in several very different countries around the world, but currently resides in Maine. She knows about the world at large from her personal experiences, and builds upon these skills in her work. She is a published author of several books, and has retired from a career teaching children of all ages and abilities, English Grammar. She is highly professional in her approach, and a stickler for correct English usage.

Her high standards are also reflected in her approach to content; she will check your words flow in chronological order, relate to, and make sense from a reader's point of view. She may check you links or references, and may pull you up if she thinks you do not understand what you have written. Show her you do, and she will be satisfied.

She is not there to criticise, but will complement you on well worded passages, and sometimes share a joke.
 

Little Hezakiah

Susan's latest book is a short piece for young children. It has rhyme and a sing-along feel in places.

The first of perhaps several stories featuring a young boy who can speak to animals and birds.

After visiting the zoo, the monkeys escape, and release the tigers. The birds send Little Hezakiah a warning, and using skill, he saves the day, and the lives of many animals.

This book has been very well received by young children and local schools.
 

Coconut Magnate

Susan's current work is for older children, and primarily a detective thriller, although that is it for normal.

The book is set in a sinister house, one that could have been inhabited by the Addams or Munster families

Although still in the early stages, this book is a ripping yarn; scary, yet humorous, drawing the reader in for the next shock.